Commonwealth Consolidated Acts Commonwealth Consolidated Acts(1) You can deduct a loss arising from the carrying on or carrying out of a profit - making undertaking or plan if any profit from that plan would have been included in your assessable income by section 15 - 15 (which is about profit - making undertakings and plans).
When section does not apply
(2) You cannot deduct a loss under subsection (1) if the loss arises in respect of the sale of property acquired on or after 20 September 1985.
Note: If you sell property you acquired before 20 September 1985 for profit - making by sale, you may be able to deduct a loss on the sale: see section 52 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 .
Notice to Commissioner
(3) You can deduct a loss under subsection (1), insofar as it arises in respect of property, only if:
(a) you notified the Commissioner that you acquired the property for the purpose of profit - making by sale or for the carrying on or carrying out of any profit - making undertaking or plan (however described); or
(b) the Commissioner is satisfied that you acquired the property for either of those purposes.
When notice must have been given
(4) The notice must have been given at or before the time you lodged your * income tax return:
(a) for the income year in which you acquired the property; or
(b) if you were not required to lodge an income tax return for that income year--for the first income year after that income year for which you were required to lodge one.